Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled the company’s much-anticipated Cybercab, an autonomous vehicle expected to be priced under $30,000. The announcement, made during the glitzy “We, Robot” event at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, included plans to introduce self-driving features in Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y by next year in California and Texas.
Musk arrived in the Cybercab wearing his signature black leather jacket, accompanied by a man dressed in a space suit. The event, characterized by its futuristic ambiance, featured humanoid robots mingling with attendees, dancing, and serving drinks. However, skepticism loomed among analysts regarding Tesla’s ability to deliver fully self-driving vehicles, a goal set nearly a decade ago.
During the event, Musk revealed that in addition to the Cybercab he drove in, there were 20 more at the venue and 50 fully autonomous vehicles available for attendees to experience across the expansive 20 acres. Notably, the Cybercab will feature no steering wheel or pedals, relying instead on inductive charging.
Musk emphasized the ambitious nature of Tesla’s technology, stating that they had “overspecced” the vehicle’s computer system to enhance its performance. He optimistically projected that production of the Cybercab would commence “in 2026” but added the caveat “before 2027.”
“The future of autonomous vehicles means transforming parking lots into parks,” he said. “You could even fall asleep or watch a movie in a comfortable little lounge while being transported.” Musk envisions a world where these cars can serve as Uber-like taxis when not in use, allowing individuals to create fleets that could compete with traditional ride-share companies.
In addition to the Cybercab, Musk announced plans for a Robovan capable of carrying up to 20 people, although details regarding its production timeline and pricing remain sparse. He also expressed confidence in Tesla’s autonomous technology, asserting that the data collected from millions of vehicles would enable them to outperform human drivers.
“With autonomy, you get your time back,” Musk stated, emphasizing the safety benefits of autonomous driving. He cited Tesla’s extensive driving data, claiming it would make autonomous vehicles significantly safer than human drivers.
However, the ambitious promises come at a time when Tesla faces scrutiny. The company is currently involved in a class-action lawsuit from owners who have not received the full self-driving features they were promised. Moreover, federal regulators are investigating the safety of Tesla’s autopilot system following reports of crashes involving the technology.
For further information, visit the full article https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/11/elon-musk-unveils-tesla-cybercab-self-driving-robotaxi
